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Philippines: Above the law: Police torture in the Philippines

4 December 2014, Index number: ASA 35/007/2014

Anyone arrested on suspicion of criminal activity in the Philippines risks being tortured or otherwise ill-treated in police custody. This report explores the context since the Anti-Torture Act was enacted in 2009 and documents how people continue to be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment by police. The report discusses barriers to justice and accountability for torture, including impediments to filing complaints, ineffective investigations and obstacles to prosecution of perpetrators, and makes recommendations to the Philippine government.